Prevalence of type 1 and type 2 diabetes among chronic kidney disease patients and laboratorial differences between diabetics and non-diabetics.

BACKGROUND: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) imposes a significant burden on patients and the entire healthcare system. Over the years, the incidence of CKD has been rising in the Arab world, primarily due to increased rates of diabetes and hypertension - the leading causes of CKD. Syrians face a higher risk of diabetes and hypertension, exacerbated by the ongoing crisis in the country. No previous papers discussing CKD among diabetic Syrian patients have been published. METHODS: We conducted an examination of 297 patients' charts at the kidney surgical hospital in Damascus, Syria. Our objectives were to assess the prevalence of diabetes and hypertension among these patients, explore associated demographic factors, and investigate changes in serum creatinine, urea, fasting blood glucose levels, and the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) score among diabetic CKD patients compared to non-diabetic patients. RESULTS: Among the studied patients, 64.6% were over 50, while 61.6% were males and 35.4% were diabetic. Patients with diabetes had lower creatinine levels upon admission than non-diabetics. The correlation between fasting blood glucose levels and each of serum creatinine, urea, and MDRD was not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the increasing incidence of diabetes, this study reveals that the prevalence of diabetes among CKD patients in Syria is similar to that observed globally. The ongoing crisis in Syria underscores the urgency of addressing CKD risk factors and implementing effective preventive measures.